How many toys can an RV-10 hold? Yes, Santa flies an RV-10.

ScottSchmidt · #1 12-21-2006, 03:27 PM

On Wednesday the RV-10 transformed into a cargo plane with the mission of delivering toys and clothes to the four corners area to children on the reservation. This was a Toys for Tots donation using the Angel Flight group.

I received an e-mail late Tuesday night that Angel Flight needed more planes and pilots to deliver toys to the Indian reservation so I made a quick call and was told to be at Salt Lake international at 7:00am.

There were approximately 20 planes that showed up. Most of the planes were four seat’ers like 182's, 185's, Cherokees, Bonanzas, and one PC-12. After a quick briefing we started loading. The temps were around 15 with a good wind blowing so loading went very quickly. So before I go much farther, here is the answer to how many toys an RV-10 can hold.

My friend Mark Patey showed up in his newly purchased RV-10 and we flew together from Salt Lake City to Bluff, UT (239 nm). Here we are on the ramp at Salt Lake loading the planes.

Mark brought two of his boys and they got to hold some gifts in the back. There were also three Marines that flew down to help unload and organize.

ScottSchmidt · #2 12-21-2006, 03:28 PM

Before we left Salt Lake, all the planes were blessed by an Indian who was blowing a bone whistle and held a feather. I need to learn more about this blessing ceremony.

It was a little difficult getting clearance out of Salt Lake at 8:00am when 20 planes all want VFR clearance at once and there are tons of commercial IFR flights occurring. After about 20 minutes Mark and I received clearance as a flight of 2 and departed Salt Lake. The flight down was amazing. We even had a 25 knot tail wind and we were showing 190 to 200 knots GS the whole way to Bluff.

ScottSchmidt · #3 12-21-2006, 03:29 PM

San Rafael Swell

Colorado River

We cruised at 11,500 and arrived in about 1:20 minutes with the great tail wind we had.

ScottSchmidt · #4 12-21-2006, 03:29 PM

Here's the pile that Larry Swanson carried in his 182. OK, he beat me on volume but not on speed.

The RV-10 delivery crew!

ScottSchmidt · #5 12-21-2006, 03:30 PM

Here are most of the toys and clothes that were delivered. There were more coming in as we were leaving but were able to get all of it delivered by airplane with nothing left behind.

ScottSchmidt · #6 12-21-2006, 03:31 PM

After we unloaded and prepared to leave there was a person left behind, an attorney no less (there has to be a joke there). I offered to take her back but I wasn't going to tell her that I built this plane until after we were in the air. The flight back was great and she had a great time seeing Southern Utah from the air.

Navajo Mountain

Lake Powell

The base of Boulder Mountain and Capital Reef

ScottSchmidt · #7 12-21-2006, 03:31 PM

Fish Lake

Plateau near Richfield

Mark and I flew to Richfield UT. where we borrowed the courtesy car and went to Wingers for lunch.

As you can see it was a beautiful day and it was really fun to help bring a bunch of toys to the kids. We talked with one of the local leaders and he was very appreciative to everyone who donated and delivered the clothes and gifts. There is another run on Saturday morning at Salt Lake International as well if anyone is interested.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

UH60Hwkdrvr · #8 12-21-2006, 03:46 PM

What a fantastic way to share some of your good fortune! Keep up the good work!

Michael

P.S. AWESOME PICS!

erich weaver · #9 12-21-2006, 04:38 PM

Very cool dude. You got me in the holiday mood finally

erich weaver

the_other_dougreeves · #10 12-21-2006, 07:41 PM

You rock. Holiday spirit embodied.

How much stuff did they get in the PC-12?